[Flashpoint]

This entire site is basically nothing but reality TV in text form. At it's heart it's only related to the Calgary Flames in the loosest sense. The vast majority of the intrigue here is the direct result of the cast of characters who appear, behave in stereotypical ways, and often interact with one another with hysterical results. Eventually they fade away, but are replaced by others who perform the same function.

All based in text.

If it weren't for you people, I'd probably sit on Snopes "What's New" page hitting F5 all day. Far better to watch the show here for the entertainment value.

The most amusing part is probably the narcissistic self obsession CP as a whole goes through on a regular basis. Like this thread. Which will hit 300 posts pretty quickly, even though it's not really talking about anything that doesn't go on with any group exposed to "new" people.

We're in the "think tank" people. Get used to it. In 2004 my opening post was about the potential return of Theo Fleury, and how he deserved at least a chance. Took a pretty good stomping. Deserved it. Turns out I was eventually right (or wrong) but deserved it never the less. I was new, and committed the infraction of posting without doing any prior reading. You wouldn't walk into a symposium on say... economics... and start screaming at the top of your lungs about the exchange rate without expecting to get weird looks and a visit from security.

Before you get stupid on CP you better have some sense of the culture. Or you are going to take comments at face value, and not know Reggie is just winding you up, or that Fotze is a lunatic.

At the end of the day, it's vaguely hilarious to think about the degree of conflict on this site, and then realize almost everyone here has something in common. They love hockey. And most love the Flames.

So if you're new, or feel you've been mistreated:

1) Do some background reading, and figure out why you're being harshed on.
2) Get a thicker skin, because occasionally posters feel like being A-holes.
3) Post what you really believe, but be ready to rationally defend it.
4) Remember we all have something in common.